Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-22
Survival of the Fittest.

A few days ago the Merchants Club OF
Boston had meeting, at which Hon.
David A. Wells delivered an address.
This, in substance, is what lie said:
Massachusetts, in common with all
other New England States, does not pro-
duce the metals, cotton, wool hemp, coal
or all the agricultural products that she
needs. Even the kinds OF raw materials
which SIC does produce are produced to
better advantage and at q cheaper
rate in other parts Of the
United States. Iron is cheaper
in Alabama than in any other part Of the
country, and where iron is found, there
go the machine shops and the other and
lighter employments. Many articles are
being manufactured In other States that
should be manufactured in New Eng
land. There are few Industrial estao-
lishments being started in New England,
and the young men are leaving in crowds.
They say there are o inducements to re-
main at home, and Notwithstanding the
hardships Of the frontier. the edu-
Gated young men Of New England
are going West, and starting in the ranch
and cattle business and the various other
enterprises that are opening up in that
part of the country. II freed from unnec-
essary tariff taxation there are few manu-
featured articles that cannot be made as
cheapIy in New England as in any other
part of the country, and if the capitalists
OF New England have not lost their in
terest in the commerce and manufac-
al
with any other part OF this country,
or any nation abroad, in the matter OF
manufactures. The speaker was in favor
of taking of the tariff taxes on raw ma
terlals, saying that then New England
would assert her supremacy and occupy
her old position as the leader in the
manufactures Of the country.
While MIR. Wells himself has long be en-
in favor of tariff reform. vet his last
proposition voices that New England
selfishness which has more than once
given the country trouble. AS long as
it was to New England's interest
to tax raw material few words
Of complaint were heard on that
score; but now that the West and South,
in spite OF the burdensome protective
taxes levied at New England's instance,
are taking both her business and her
population, she will doubtless wish to
change the conditions. There is no ques-
ton but that the West and South desire a
reduction of the tariff taxes, but they de-
sire An equitable reduction, aud they will
hardly consent to one intended solely for
New England's benefit.
But it Is not to this that the MORNING
NEWS wishes to call special attention. 1t
is to the interesting fact brought out in Mr..
Wells lamentations, that in spite of bur-
densome protective taxes, the West and
South are destined to leave New England
behind In industrial aud manufacturing
pursuits. 1t is a case of the survival of
the tittest. The laws Of nature SO
intended it, and those laws can
not be altered or repealed by
legislation. In the South especially all
the conditions are favorable 10 a wonder
full progress. At once an agricultural
and manufacturing region, with no clI-
matte drawbacks, the South must become
the most prosperous section of the coun-
try. She offers the strongest inducements
TO the educated young men of New Eng
land, and she will gladly welcome as
many as will cast their lot with her.